Piedmont Nebbiolo

Admirers of northwest Italy’s mercurial reds can find plenty of early enjoyment in the wines of DOCs Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba, says Susan Hulme MW

THE IDEA OF a Nebbiolo tasting that excludes the two most famous Piedmont DOCGs of Barolo and Barbaresco is timely, since Nebbiolo as a variety has never enjoyed such popularity, and Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba wines are becoming increasingly fashionable. This is partly because these two DOCs allow producers to make wines that are accessible when much younger, while also being available on the market sooner than Barolo or Barbaresco. Furthermore, Langhe Nebbiolo and Nebbiolo d’Alba wines are far less expensive and can act as an introduction to the qualities of Nebbiolo, hopefully providing a stepping stone to Barolo or Barbaresco.

One look at the figures for Langhe Nebbiolo DOC (below, right) shows that production is five million bottles, 0.5 million more than Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC – and yet the latter has more than twice the hectarage under vine. The higher production of Langhe Nebbiolo DOC is explained by the fact that it can comprise declassified Barolo, Barbaresco, Roero and Nebbiolo d’Alba.

Langhe Nebbiolo DOC also offers producers a chance to use wines from younger vines that will in time be used for their flagship wines. Producers can use up to 15% of other grape varieties such as Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, but, in practice, most producers favour 100% Nebbiolo.

Although Nebbiolo d’Alba DOC overlaps to a degree with Barolo DOCG, it was created mainly for Nebbiolo producers who are outside the Barolo and Barbaresco DOCGs. Wines must be 100% Nebbiolo.

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